Boiler



F. O. CONILL April 23, 1940.

BOILER Filed Jan. 18, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1940- F. o. CONILL2.198.404

BOILER Filed Jan. 18, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WFM Snow; a

F. O. CONILL April 23, 1940.

BOILER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fil ed Jan. 18, 1937 EIH/UCHYOL Q fhamm/ 0, 601mA SHmucqO F. O. CONILL April 23, 1940.

BOILER 4 Sh eets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 18, 1937 r i r u Patented Apr. 23,1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOILER Fernan 0. Conill, New York, N.Y.

Application January 18, 1937, Serial No. 121,197

. In France April 28, 1936 5 Claims.

eflicient boiler of small capacity, to provide a constant water feedwhich is proportional to the consumption of the steam in order to assurea constant and equal flow of the steam.

I have found that these results can be accomplished by automaticallyutilizing the changes in weight of the boiler.

An object of my invention is to provide a boiler which employs thechanges in the weight of the boiler to insure an automatic feeding ofthe water to the boiler.

Another object of my invention is to provide a boiler which is providedwith means for feeding the water proportionally to the consumption ofthe steam.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a boiler which isfreely movable in a vertical plane and which when in its lowermostposition arrests the feeding of the water and at the same time completesan electrical circuit to a heating element within the boiler to generatesteam therein.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a boiler which isprovided with means whereby the evaporation of the water is arrestedwhen the volume of water contained therein reaches a critical low level.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a boiler which is cheapto manufacture and which can be prepared in a minimum of time.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to myimprovements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to behereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that theseveral necessary elements comprising my invention may be varied inconstruction, proportions and arrangements, without departing from thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown inthe accompanying drawings means for carrying the same in-to practicaleflect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications tothe particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, havebeen made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device shown 5 in. Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view taken along the lines 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view taken along the lines L-li of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view taken along the lines 6--6 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is a view takenv along the lines l! of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a view taken along the lines 8-8 of Figure 7.

My invention consists in generating steam by the employment of a boilerof small capacity and using the changes in the weight of the boiler toassure the automatic feeding of the water to the boiler. In other words,when water is fed into the boiler its weight exerts a pressure andcauses a vertical displacement of the boiler. As the boiler is thuslowered it contacts an arm which is associated with a feed valve. Whenthe boiler contacts this arm it actuates a valve which closes theingress port of the water line to prevent more water from entering intothe boiler.

This same movement of the boiler actuates a mercury switch which closesan electric circuit to a heating element positioned within the boiler.This heating element generates steam from the water contained in theboiler which collects in the upper part and it may be then withdrawnthrough an egress conduit. In proportion to the steam produced, thevolume of water contained in the boiler is diminished. The boiler willthen raise and open the inlet passage, permitting the water to againflow into the boiler. Should the volume of water become critically lowin the boiler, the boiler will raise to such height to operate a switchto break the electrical circuit to the heater and thereby preventdamage.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, there isshovm a boiler l which is supported above a valve casing 2 on a shaft 3.The boiler consists of an outer shell 4 and an inner shell 5. Suitableheat insulating material 6 is interposed between the inner and outershells. An internal flange 6' is secured to the inner wall of the outershell and keeps the insulating material in place. A tube 1 is centrallydisposed with respect to the inner and outer shells and is provided ateach end with screw threads 8. The outer shell is provided with a topmember 9 which is secured to the upper end of the outer shell as shownat I9. Similarly, a lower closure member I I is fitted to the lower endas shown at I2. As best shown in Figure 6, a spacer bushing I3 isthreaded onto the upper end of the tube I and is positioned between thetop portion 9 and the inner shell 5. A screw cap I4 is also screwed ontothe end portion 8 of sleeve I and fits snugly within the spacer bushingthereby holding these members in proper alignment.

As shown in Fig. 3, a flanged nut I5 is screwed onto the end of the tube1 within the bottom II. A second nut I6, provided on the outside of thebottom H, is also screwed onto the end 8 of the tube 1.

It will be readily appreciated that a steam tight union between the tube1 and the inner shell 5 of the boiler i must be provided. This may bedone by brazing orany other suitable method. The shaft 3 extends throughthe tube '5 is screwed onto the top of the casing 2 as shown at H. Thebottom of the casing is flanged as at 8 and is secured to a suitablesupport by bolts H1. The other end of the shaft 3 extends through anaperture 20 in a cross bar 2!, and is secured thereto by a nut 22.Extending through arertures 23 adjacent each end of the cross bar 2i arescrew threaded rods 24. Nuts 25 arranged above and below the bar 2! holdeach rod 24 in place. One end 25 of a spring 2'! is fitted through anaperture 28 in each of the rods 24.

A pair of radial arms 29 are secured to the bottom H of the boiler I.These arms are likewise provided with apertures adjacent each of theends thereof. Threaded rods 24' are attached to the ends of the arms 29by nuts 25 and carry opposite ends of the springs 21. The ea rings 2"!are adapted to normally force the boiler toward the cross member 2 asshown by dot and dash lines in Fig. 6. It is apparent that the pressureof the springs 21 may be varied by merely adjusting rod members 24.

Secured to the cross bar 2| adjacent to one end is an upright bracket 39which is provided with an elongated aperture 3i. Secured to this hicl-zet by a bolt 32 is an arm 33. The arm 33 is provided with adownwardly extending portion at right angles thereto which is adapted tocontact the top of the boiler. A counterweight 35 is carried by the arm33 at its bend. This weight also serves as a stop by engaging the crossmember 2!. Also secured to the arm 33 by the bolt is a clip 38. As shownin Figure 7, an arcuaie slot 3'! is provided in the clip and a screw isadapted to extend through an aperture in the arm and the clip. This willpermit the clip to assume any desired position. A mercury switch 39 iscarried in the clip. The function of the mercury switch will be laterdiscussed more fully. It will be readily appreciated that by mountingthe arm 33 and the clip in the manner shown. it will permit the positionof these members to be readily adjusted so as to meet any desiredrequirements.

As pointed out. the boiler I is adapted to be displaced in averticalplane. In order to concentrically locate the shaft 3 and the sleeve 1,and to permit a free movement of the boiler, the cap it and the nut I5are provided with antifriction rollers 41 As best shown in Figure'7,'the rollers are mounted in cars 48.

As pointed out, I have devised a valve which will feed water to theboiler proportionately to the consumption of the steam, and thisarrangement is best shown by reference to Fig. 3. A lever arm 49 ispivotally mounted as at 50 in an apertlll'e 5I provided in the upperportion of the casing 2. The pivotal connection of the arm 49 carries apair of depending arms 52. As shown in Figure 4, the arm 49 is providedwith an offset portion 53 which carries an adjustable stop 54. The stopmember 54 is adapted to be contacted by the bottom of the boiler I whenthe weight of the boiler is increased. The depending arms 52 arepivotally connected to a collar 55 by Pins 56.

The collar is provided with a plurality of apertures 55' through whichthe water is adapted to pass. The side walls of the casing 2 areprovided with openings 51 to permit assembly of the above structure.

Suitably secured to the collar 55 are one end of a pair of flexibleconduits 58 and 59. The conduit 58 is secured at its other end to a disk60. This disk is secured to the end wall of the casing abutting theopening GI by screws 52. The member 80 is also provided with a centralthreaded bore 63 into which is screwed a. fitting 64. The abovedescribed structure comprises the egress portion of my feeding valve.

The conduit 59 is secured at its free end to the inner section 65 of achamber 66. The inner portion 65 of the chamber is secured to the casingby screw 61. Suitable washers 68 fit in annular channel portions 69 andID of the inner section 65 and an outer portion II of the chamber 68,respectively. The outer portion II is secured to the inner portion byscrews 12 which extend through the flanges I3 and I4 of the members IIand 65, respectively. The rubber washers also support a screen 15 whichwill prevent foreign matter, such as grit, contained in the water fromentering into the system.

The outer portion TI is provided with a centrally threaded bore 14 whichis adapted to be connected with a suitable source of water supply. Thesection 95 is provided with a threaded bore l"! into which is screwed anadustable valve I8.

This valve has a central bore '19 and a restricted orifice 89 at the endthereof. A rubber washer 8| is held in place by nut 82 and it will, ofcourse, prevent any leakage around the fitting. A sleeve 83 is fittedonto the end portion of the fitting I8. A needle 84 having suitablespacing members 85 is adapted to open and close the restricted orifice80. As shown in Figure 3, the stem 86 of the needle is adapted tocontact the central portion of the collar 55. This valve structureconstitutes the automatic feeding arrangement for the water.

Secured to the fitting 64 by screw cap 81 is a fitting 88 which issecured to the end of a flexible conduit 89 by means of a sleeve 90. Asshown in Figures 3 and 4. the other end of the flexible conduit 89 isalso provided with a sleeve portion Bil which extends into fitting 9|.An elbow shaped member 92 is secured to the fitting 9I. As shown inFigure 4, the elbow 92 extends upwardly through aperture 93 provided inthe bottom II and through aperture 94 in the inner shell. The elbow 92is also provided with flanged portions 95 which are secured to the innershell by soldering or the like. The fitting 9I and the elbow 92 areprovided with shannels 96 and 91. respectively. The channel 91, ofcourse, is in communication with the interior of the inner shell.

As shown in Figures 1 and 6, an elbow 98 extends through openingsprovided in the outer and inner shells near the upper portion of theboiler. A flexible tube 99 is secured to the eibow 98, as at I00. Theflexible tubing. 99 and'its associated parts constitute the conduitthrough which the steam leaves the boiler. A safety valve As shown inFigure 3, the inner shell is provided with an aperture I02 in the bottomportion. Cup shaped members I03 are each provided with a flanged ringI04 which is soldered thereto as at I05. The ring is also provided withscrew threads I06 and the flanged portion I01 is soldered to the lowerwall of the bottom of the shell 5.

Electrical heating elements depicted generally as I00 are containedwithin cups I03 being held therein by being screwed into the threadedring I04. These heating elements are provided with terminals IIO whichextend downwardly therefrom through apertures II I in the bottom closureII of the outer shell 4. Suitable insulating disks II! are provided onthe terminals to form a closure for the openings III.

'As shown in Figure 3, contact points III extend through aperture H0 inthe upright II9 of the casing for connection with a source of electricenergy. Insulating washers I20 are fitted onto the contacts to insulatethe same from the metal casing.

The operation of my invention is as follows: When water is admitted tothe boiler, its weight exerts a pressure on the springs and the boileris displaced in a vertical plane. As the boiler lowers it contacts thestop 54 carried by the lever arm 49, this in turn moves the arm aboutits pivot 50 which moves the collar 55 toward the right. This movementof the collar by its action on the stem of the needle causes the needleto seal the orifice 00 in the valve I8 and thereby prevent the feedingof water through this orifice into the flexible conduit 89 and thenceinto the boiler. This same movement of the boiler causes the mercuryswitch 39 to function to complete the electrical circuit to the heatingelements positioned within the boiler. The heating elements causeevaporation of the water contained in the boiler. The steam thusgenerated collects in the upper portion of the boiler whence it may passout through the fitting 98 at the top of the boiler and into theflexible tube 99.

It will, of course, be readily appreciated that in proportion to theamount of steam generated the volume of water contained within theboiler is diminished. The boiler, however, is under the tension of thesprings 21 which tend to normally urge the boiler upwardly. Obviously,when the pressure upon the lever arm and consequently the needle valve,is relieved the needle valve will again open by the outside pressure ofwater. This will, of course, withdraw the needle from the orifice 80 andthereby permit the water to again be fed into the boiler. If fromaccidental stoppage of the water line or from any other reason thatmight cause the water in the boiler to drop to a critical level whichmight cause damage, a safety device is provided. This safety device isshown in operation by dot and dash lines in Fig. 6.

As shown by the dot and dash lines, the boiler, by contacting the leverarm carrying the mercury switch, will break the circuit between the twocontact members of the switch and open the circuit to the heatingelements within the boiler.

As soon as the boiler is again filled with the necessary quantity ofwater, the switch will again function to start the boiler operation andthe foregoing cycle will again be repeated.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of myinvention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself tothe precise details of construction herein set forth by way ofillustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may bemade therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from thespirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for generating steam, a boiler adapted to move in avertical plane, a valve to feed water to the boiler, electrical heatingelements within the boiler, and means carried by the valve to contactthe boiler to control feeding of the water andto energize the electricalheating elements.

2. In an apparatus for generating steam, a boiler adapted to move in avertical plane, a valve to feed water to the boiler, electrical heatingelements within the boiler, an arm carried by the valve to contact thebottom of the boiler to control feeding of the water and to energize theelectrical heating elements.

3. In an apparatus for generating steam, a boiler adapted to move in avertical plane, a valve to feed water to the boiler, electrical heatingelements within the boiler, an arm carried by the valve to contact thebottom of the boiler to control feeding of the water and to energize theelectrical heating elements, and means associated with theboiler tode-energize the electrical heating elements when the volume of waterbecomes low in the boiler.

4. An apparatus for generating steam comprising, a boiler, automaticmeans responsive to the weight of water in said boiler to move the samein a vertical plane, a valve to feed water to the boiler, means carriedby the said valve to contact the said boiler, and electrical heatingmeans adapted to generate steam disposed in the said boiler, switchmeans operated by the movement of said boiler, whereby vertical movementof the said boiler increases or decreases the water feed thereto andenergizes or de-energizes the said electrical heating means.

5. An apparatus for generating steam comprising, a boiler, automaticmeans responsive to the weight of water in the said boiler to move thesame in a vertical plane, a valve to feed water to the boiler, an armcarried by the said valve to contact the bottom of the said boiler, andelectrical heating elements adapted to generate steam disposed in. thesaid boiler, switch means operated by the movement of said boiler,whereby vertical movement of the said boiler increases or decreases thewater feed thereto and energizes or de-energizes the said electricalheating elements.

' FERNAN O. CONILL.

